It’s no secret that Cameron and I are a big fan of the Library. On any given rainy day you can find us at the Clinton Hill Branch (380 Washington Ave) and of course, we are there on Tuesdays for Babies and Books. This week I saw a sign posted about a rally this Saturday (May 15th) to Save the Brooklyn Libraries.
Save the Libraries!
I had heard the libraries were in trouble but I didn’t realize how dire the situation was! Currently the Brooklyn Public Libraries are facing a $20.6 million cut in city funding. If this goes through, 16 libraries will close, weekend hours will be severely limited, and programs for children, teens, and seniors may be cut. If you are as much of a fan of the library as me, please join the rally on Saturday, May 15, 2010, from noon to 2 PM. It will be held in front of the main branch at Grand Army Plaza. You can also donate to the Support our Shelves campaign. There are several easy ways to send in your dollars – online, at the Brooklyn Public library website, by phone (call 718-230-2738 ,) via text message (text BOOKS to 50555 to make a $10 donation,) or you can pick up an envelope at the front desk of the Library and mail in your donation. If you have any questions about the Support Our Shelves fundraiser, email them to supportourshelves@brooklynpubliclibrary.org If you can’t make it to the rally, you can also call 311 to let the City know how you feel. For more information, visit the Brooklyn Public Library website.
Posted from New York, New York, United States.
Did you know Clinton Hill Library has DVDs for Kids? Probably! But I didn’t! I know it’s not exactly shocking, but I had never even thought to explore beyond the little Children’s section.
There's lots of great Kids DVDs to choose from
I was in the Library last Friday and we had just gotten Cameron his Library Card (all it takes is a picture ID from Mom, and it takes about 5 minutes). I saw another mom checking out an Elmo’s World DVD and I asked her where she got it. She showed me where the DVD section was – it’s in the back right corner if you are facing the kids section from the entrance.
Cameron loves anything to do with firetrucks
Elmo Plus Dogs? Fantastic!
They’ve got lots of great options! I am sure we will be back for more. And it’s just one more reason to support Clinton Hill Library in their Support Our Shelves campaign. Check out this previous post to find out more about how you can donate to the Library.
Posted from New York, New York, United States.
Yesterday Cameron and I headed towards Clinton Hill Library for Story Time, but we were a little early, so I decided to pay a visit to Greene Playground (located next to PS 11 on Greene between Waverly and Washington Ave in Clinton Hill). I went to this playground for the first time a few weeks ago with some other moms for a playgroup. I fell in love! Although it is just one block away from Underwood Playground, it is often MUCH less crowded. In fact, yesterday, Cameron and I had the whole place to ourselves.
Greene Playground has two sets of equipment – one is great for toddlers because it has a big ramp instead of lots of stairs. It’s also got some bells, and a twisty slide which ends pretty close to the ground – no big drop off at the end. There are 6 baby swings as well. The other set of equipment has some rings to swing on, a few bridges, a bigger twisty slide, and a few steps – although none of them were too big for Cameron to handle. There is also a set of “big kid” swings. The base of the playground is that soft rubbery stuff, which is nice for babies learning to walk that happen to fall a lot (namely Cameron!) There is also a small sprinkler (not on yet – but soon!)
So, if you are at Underwood and it gets a little too crowded and crazy, consider walking down the block to Greene Playground. It’s a breath of fresh air, and a gem of a playground!
Posted from New York, New York, United States.
Clinton Hill Library (and all the Brooklyn Public Libraries) are asking for our help! And, given how much time Cameron and I have spent there (for Story Time and just hanging out on cold and rainy winter days) I am more than happy to oblige. If you are interested in supporting the Library and it’s programs here’s info on how to do it:
Donate to the Clinton Hill Library today!
Online: You can visit the Brooklyn Public Library website and make a donation there. You can send your money anywhere – even specifically choose the Clinton Hill branch.
By Phone: You can call 718-230-2738 and make a donation.
Via Text Message: You can text BOOKS to 50555 to make a $10 donation.
By Mail: You can pick up an envelope at the front desk of the Libarary and mail in your donation.
If you have any questions, email them at supportourshelves@brooklynpubliclibrary.org
I am guessing you’ve spent money on Music Together or other types of classes for your child – so please consider sending some money to the Library. They offer a great, free service to the community and deserve our support!
Hi all – I had two bits of Fort Greene / Clinton Hill news I wanted to share.
First – I was at Story Time yesterday at the Clinton Hill Library and it seems that the usual woman has moved libraries and is gone for good. They have a stand in named Steve (I think) and he didn’t give the impression that he was going to be the permanent person in charge. He seemed a little awkward, but everything worked out fine. I saw another mom who was at the later session and she said Steve told her class that they might not have the funding to keep Story Time going for more than 6 weeks. I hope this isn’t true! It’s such an amazing resource in the neighborhood. Yesterday there was quite a crowd!
Lots of strollers yesterday at Clinton Hill Library
Secondly, I also went to the Pratt Post Office on Myrtle to get the mail from my P.O. Box. I wasn’t sure what to expect since they quietly and quickly announced their closing. There was a truck outside that was selling stamps (no money orders, according to the postal worker).
Get your stamps here....
They were also letting people in to use the APC machine and drop items in the big box in the foyer. I was also allowed to walk into the actual post office and pick up my mail. The postal worker said they decided to keep it like this until actual construction begins. Sounds reasonable to me! After that, she said, who knows. Yikes…. She recommended that people with P.O. Boxes check their mail daily for now.
Cameron and I visited the Clinton Hill Library last Tuesday in the hopes of catching Story Time – but the program was on break. We still had a great time though! Anyways, the Babies for Books Story Time is starting up again today, March 2nd. There are two times : 10:45, and 11:30. Maybe we will see you there!
The Clinton Hill branch is located at 380 Washington Ave. at Lafayette Ave, right around the corner from Underwood Park.
Posted from New York, New York, United States.
On Tuesday Cameron and I headed out to Clinton Hill Library (380 Washington Ave) for Reading with Babies, and a break from the rain. When I got to the library I saw a sign posted that there wouldn’t be any story time until March 2nd, and that they were showing a Sesame Street movie instead. I was a little disappointed, but I wanted to check out the Children’s section of the library anyways because I had heard it was a nice place for kids to play – story time, or no. Indeed, I was not let down.
Cameron plays with the bead maze
There was plenty of space for Cameron to roam around, and a few other babies there. So many books were at his level, and I didn’t feel bad about him taking them off the shelves himself and taking a peek at them (I just followed him around and put them back). There were also a few toys for the kids.
So many books to choose from
Overall, it was a nice place to take Cameron when the weather is bad, so we will certainly be back!
I am so fortunate to know a lot of moms who share with me their ideas and advice. This post is based in their experiences, as well as information gained from the Fort Greene Babies Yahoo Group and Parents Around the Hill (PATH). I haven’t checked out all these places myself – so I can’t speak to every one of them personally – but my mom friends haven’t steered me wrong yet. The reason I have decided to post about them before being able to check them all out is I am guessing that a lot of you are starting to feel a little desperate with all this snow and cold weather – I know I am! So here are some ideas of places to take your baby in the Fort Greene / Clinton Hill area:
The Booklyn Flea – The Flea has moved indoors for the winter months. It’s new home is at One Hanson Place on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm. The Flea is on the main floor and lower level. According to one mom, the lower level has food options, and the upper level is where the sales go on. She said the lower level is a great place to take kids and let them roam around, and that there is space for strollers. So if you are looking for a weekend activity – check out the indoor Flea!
Story time at Greenlight Bookstore – Greenlight Bookstore is located at 686 Fulton Street and has a free story time on Saturday mornings at 10:30 AM. Check it out for more weekend fun.
Playgroup at Brooklyn Junior – Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon there is a free playgroup at Brooklyn Junior (150 Clinton Ave – corner of Myrtle) from 3:15-6. Please email info@brooklynjunior.com if you would like to go. Children of all ages are welcome.
The Clinton Hill Library – Not only does Clinton Hill Library (380 Washington Ave) have a great and free Reading for Babies program on Tuesdays at 10:45 and 11:30, but I’ve also been told it’s a great place to take your kid to let them roam around even when no scheduled activities are going on.
Chuck E Cheese – Now this one, I never would have thought of! Last Thursday a few of us were hanging out at Der Schwarze Kölner and one of the moms said that she had just been at Chuck E Cheese with her baby (he is an early walker). She said that it was her nanny who had originally suggested it, and although she was skeptical – it turned out to be a great place for him to roam around, and it was free (since they aren’t playing any games). Chuck E. Cheese is located in the Atlantic Terminal Mall.
Der Schwarze Kölner aka the Beer Garden – As I mentioned above I’ve been going to the Beer Garden (710 Fulton Street) with Cameron and some other moms + babies. It is a great winter option – and they are so welcoming and nice! Read more about Der Schwarze Kölner at this other post I wrote a few days ago.
If you have other ideas to share, please leave a comment!
Cameron and I had such a great time in DC over Christmas that we are going back down today. We’re taking the train together – so I will be sure to report on how that goes once we return!
I’ll try to post while I’m gone, but in case I don’t – have a great week everyone!
Check out some great posts you might have missed to keep yourself busy:
Free Infant CPR at the Brooklyn Hospital
Reading for Babies at the Clinton Hill Library – a great winter activity
My Pediatrician’s remedy for pesky Diaper Rash
My sleep training bible – Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Baby
Dealing with a leaky diaper? Maybe it’s time to go up a size
And check out my posts about What Cameron is Eating
Hi all! I know some of you are new to Mommy For the Win so I wanted to highlight some of the most popular and asked about posts that I’ve done in the past. Check them out!
Diaper Rash? My Doctor Said Mylanta
Picnic in the Park Made Easy with the best picnic blanket ever!
Free Infant CPR Classes at the Brooklyn Hospital
FREE – Clinton Hill Library – Reading for Babies
The Books I Found Most Helpful
The What’s Cameron Eating series: Ricotta Cheese and Squash, Avocado and Banana, Baby Yogurt and Banana, Baby Mum Mums, Cream of Wheat, Peaches, Waffles, Organic Puffs, Roasted Butternut Squash, Oatmeal with bananas and cinnamon, 67 Burger, String Cheese, Grilled Cheese and Peas
I hope you find them useful!
